“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18

THE HEART ❤️ OF THE ARTIST:

Phil Wickham tugged his jacket tighter as the cool breeze swept through the park. His wife Mallory laughed softly at something he said, her hand brushing his as their dogs trotted ahead on their leashes.

This was their time—a sacred pause in the chaos of the day.

As they talked, Phil’s thoughts wandered to another walk—a far older one. He imagined God in the Garden of Eden, walking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. No agenda, no rush, just perfect relationship.

That picture stayed with him. Wasn’t that what God wanted all along? A relationship built not on rituals but on the sharing of life through unhurried conversations.

Prayer, he thought, was supposed to feel like this. It was not about perfection or formality. It was about showing up and being real, even about the messy parts of life.

The God who shaped the stars and painted the sky longed to hear from him. Some days, his prayers were as simple as, “That was hard, God,” or “Can You believe today?” And every time, he felt God’s presence, as if He had been waiting for that moment all along.

As they turned back toward home, Phil resolved to stay intentional, not just with Mallory but with God. Because the same God who walked with Adam and Eve is still waiting—for him, and for all of us—to take that first step.